#is the safest way for the world of sorcery to exist

[shrineontheroadside]

‼️ JJK MANGA SPOILERS AHEAD ‼️

⚠️ proceed with caution ⚠️

this is just me theorising, and I rly hope it doesn't pan out like this, but I think yuuta is gonna lose. while he will go out dealing some heavy damage to sukuna, all chapters previous to the gojo-corpse comeback were dedicted to yuuji (the MC) levelling up his power and skill.

all previous jujutsu kaisen MCs, (yuuta in JJK0, Gojo with the Hidden Inventory Arc, Maki with the zenin clan arc) were allowed victories against their primary oppoonents. (geto, toji and naoya respectively) in the process, they lost someone they loved (gojo lost geto, yuuta had to let go of rika, mai sacrificed herself for maki) and after this loss, their loved one came back as a shadow of who they were (kenjaku in geto's body, rika as a shikigami, mai's gift of the soul split sword.)

what we tend to forget, is that while sukuna is an enemy of the jujutsu world, he is itadori's opponent. Jujutsu Kaisen as a story began with sukuna, yuuji's character developed due to sukuna's malevolent nature and all the loss in yuuji's life is due to the king of curses.

JJK is also inherently cyclical in nature, we see this in the multiple parallels drawn across generations, with a primary theme being breaking patterns of passing down trauma.

now, the genesis point for all the catastrophes in JJK was the existence of toji zenin, and as pointed out by yuki, he is the ideal of how humans should AKA net zero cursed energy. to achieve geto's ideal, another key point of the storyline, all humans should ideally become like toji.

but toji isn't the only cause of imbalance in jujutsu society, it's gojo as well. his birth caused curses to grow infinitely stronger and have an overall negative impact on the death rate of sorcerers. his status as a special grade caused chaos in the jujutsu world and forced the impossible burden of loneliness onto him.

as the story currently stands, yuuta is the only special grade remaining. I don't think yuuta will die, but I do think he will lose rika, lose against sukuna and all his cursed energy in the process. to dissolve the ideal of a special grade sorcerer will be pivotal for the story.

maki in the cinchpin; her contemporary began this mess and its only fitting that she play a role in ending things, but at the end of the day this is yuuji's victory. as per the repeating narrative of JJK, he's already lost megumi, and megumi has returned to itadori as a distorted image of himself.

but I don't think megumi will die, because what JJK has always been about is breaking cycles of abuse. objectively, sukuna is exploiting megumi right now, and I think the story will end with yuuji somehow breaking this cycle of abuse and figuring out how to harness cursed energy in a way that achieves geto's ideal of a curseless world.

anyway, those are my two cents. for all this analysis I still want a gojo nobara geto nanami comeback so all my pookies can hold hands and live happily ever after. I miss you gojo my gorgeous blue eyed king. I miss you nobara my femme sapphic queen. i miss you nanamin my father figure 9-5 king. I MISS YOU GETO MY PRETTY PRETTY PRINCESS. I MISS YOU THE MOST. YOU DESERVE A LIFE WITH YOUR HUSBAND AND YOUR 4 ADOPTED KIDS. GETO MY LOVELY POOKIE WOOKIE KING I CRY FOR U EVERYDAY.

[catblimp]

Talking Warhammer 40k with my future boss

Which chaos god in Warhammer 40k do you think would be the best romantic Life-partner?

ChatGPT: In the grim and dark world of Warhammer 40k, the Chaos Gods are malevolent entities embodying various aspects of chaos and corruption. While they can offer immense power and favor to their followers, they are generally portrayed as destructive and sinister forces. It's important to note that forming a romantic relationship with a Chaos God would not only be unconventional but also highly dangerous.

Each Chaos God represents different aspects and desires, and their influence can be overwhelming and corrupting. Khorne, the Blood God, embodies violence and martial prowess. Nurgle, the Plague God, represents decay and disease. Tzeentch, the Changer of Ways, embodies manipulation and sorcery. And Slaanesh, the Prince of Pleasure, represents excess and hedonism.

Considering their nature, it would be difficult to imagine any of the Chaos Gods being an ideal romantic life-partner. Their goals and desires often revolve around destruction, domination, and the perpetuation of suffering. Building a healthy and loving relationship would likely be incompatible with their nature and the horrors they embody.

It's worth noting that Warhammer 40k is a fictional universe where the Chaos Gods are meant to symbolize the dark and corrupting aspects of humanity. In real life, pursuing a healthy and fulfilling romantic relationship should focus on trust, respect, and mutual happiness rather than seeking out malevolent entities.

Ok, if you were forced to date one of the Chaos gods from Warhammer 40k, which would you choose?

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don't have personal preferences, emotions, or the ability to engage in romantic relationships. I exist solely to provide information and assist with inquiries to the best of my abilities. While I can discuss various aspects of Warhammer 40k, including the Chaos Gods, it is important to remember that they are fictional entities within a dark and grim setting. Engaging with them romantically would not be advisable or feasible in any real-world context.

Let’s say hypothetically, I’m forced to choose one of the Chaos gods from Warhammer 40k to date. Which would be my safest option?

ChatGPT: In the hypothetical scenario where you are forced to choose one of the Chaos Gods from Warhammer 40k to date, it is important to note that none of the Chaos Gods are inherently safe or conducive to a healthy relationship. They embody destructive and corrupting forces, and engaging with them romantically would likely lead to negative consequences.

However, if we consider the Chaos Gods from a comparative perspective, some may have qualities that could be seen as less immediately dangerous. For example, Tzeentch, the Changer of Ways, represents manipulation and sorcery. While Tzeentch can be deceitful and treacherous, their focus on change and knowledge may offer a different dynamic than the overtly violent and hedonistic aspects of other Chaos Gods.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to emphasize that any involvement with the Chaos Gods is generally portrayed as perilous and corrupting in the Warhammer 40k universe. Choosing a "safest" option among them would still involve significant risks and potentially dire consequences. In reality, pursuing a healthy and fulfilling romantic relationship should prioritize mutual respect, trust, and shared values, rather than engaging with destructive and malevolent entities.

If the chaos gods from Warhammer 40k were modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, which God would make the best romantic life partner?

ChatGPT: If we were to hypothetically envision the Chaos Gods from Warhammer 40k as modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, it's important to remember that their inherent nature and characteristics are rooted in destruction, corruption, and extreme desires. These qualities would likely make them challenging romantic life partners in a real-world context.

However, if we were to consider their qualities in a comparative sense and detach them from their destructive nature, one could argue that Tzeentch might have certain traits that could potentially make them a more interesting romantic partner. Tzeentch embodies change, ambition, and the pursuit of knowledge. In a human context, these qualities could translate into being intellectually stimulating, adventurous, and open to personal growth.

That being said, it's crucial to recognize that this is a highly speculative and fictional scenario. In reality, pursuing a healthy and fulfilling romantic relationship should focus on compatibility, trust, mutual respect, and shared values with another person rather than relying on the characteristics of malevolent entities from a fictional universe.

the chaos gods from Warhammer 40k were modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, which God would make the worst romantic life partner?

ChatGPT: If we were to hypothetically imagine the Chaos Gods from Warhammer 40k as modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, it is important to note that all of them would still possess extreme and negative qualities. However, if we consider the aspects associated with each Chaos God, one could argue that Slaanesh, the Prince of Pleasure, might be the most challenging romantic life partner.

Slaanesh embodies excess, hedonism, and the pursuit of pleasure. If these qualities were manifested in a real-world human, it could lead to a range of issues. Slaanesh's insatiable desires and craving for ever-increasing sensations might result in an unsustainable lifestyle, where constant pursuit of pleasure takes precedence over other aspects of life, including emotional connection and stability. It could lead to a lack of emotional intimacy, impulsivity, and a disregard for boundaries.

Again, it is essential to emphasize that this is a purely speculative and fictional scenario. In reality, pursuing a healthy and fulfilling romantic relationship should prioritize emotional connection, trust, respect, and shared values rather than engaging with extreme and potentially destructive characteristics.

If the chaos gods from Warhammer 40k were modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, which God would make the worst roommate?

ChatGPT: If we were to imagine the Chaos Gods from Warhammer 40k as modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, it's likely that living with any of them would present significant challenges. However, if we consider the aspects associated with each Chaos God, Khorne, the Blood God, would likely make the worst roommate.

Khorne embodies violence, rage, and the pursuit of martial prowess. If these characteristics were translated into a real-world human, living with someone who constantly craves violence and bloodshed would be highly dangerous and unsettling. It would likely create an environment of constant aggression, conflicts, and an overall lack of peace and stability. Safety concerns would be a significant issue, as their inclination towards violence may endanger those around them.

Once again, it is important to emphasize that this is a fictional scenario, and the Chaos Gods are meant to represent extreme and negative aspects within the Warhammer 40k universe. In reality, a good roommate should prioritize cooperation, respect, and shared living values for a harmonious and safe living environment.

If the chaos gods from Warhammer 40k were modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, which God would make the best roommate?

ChatGPT: If we were to hypothetically envision the Chaos Gods from Warhammer 40k as modern, real-world humans with the same values and personal characteristics, it is important to note that all of them possess extreme and negative qualities. However, in a comparative sense, one could argue that Tzeentch might make the best roommate among them.

Tzeentch embodies change, ambition, and the pursuit of knowledge. If these qualities were manifested in a real-world human, it could potentially lead to an intellectually stimulating and dynamic living environment. Tzeentch's inclination towards manipulation and scheming, while still potentially problematic, could be channeled into constructive pursuits such as strategic planning or creative problem-solving. Living with someone who embraces change and growth might introduce interesting ideas and perspectives.

However, it is crucial to remember that this is a purely speculative and fictional scenario. In reality, a good roommate should prioritize cooperation, respect, and shared living values for a harmonious and comfortable living environment. Engaging with extreme and potentially destructive characteristics, even in a hypothetical context, may lead to negative consequences and an unhealthy living situation.

[cipheress-to-k-pop]

Just A Nightmare

Pairing: Danny Rand x Reader

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 3.5K

Summary: When Nightmare shows his ugly head, Danny has to take the help of an unexpected sorceress.

“Doctor Strange, I presume.” Spiderman remarked from his place on the floor.

“You may address me as Sorcerer Supreme.” He replied, stepping into the foyer. Spiderman and Iron Fist found themselves at Doctor’s Strange’s manor after Nightmare took over the world and put everyone to an endless sleep.

“So, what exactly is going on here?” Asked Peter, scepticism dripping off him so obviously that Strange resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“We shall discuss it once my company arrives.” He said, guiding the two superheroes into another large room but stopping in his path when he recognized the intruder sitting in his chair.

You were lazily strewn across his gaudy armchair, “What is it this time, Stephen? I thought we had a deal.” Your annoyance was apparent to everyone in the room but once your gaze landed on the blonde in the doorway, the words died in your mouth.

“Oh.”

Your cheeks immediately coloured and you muttered a spell underneath your breath to turn your pyjamas into something more suitable. You were used to Strange seeing you in your dirty clothes when you haven’t showered.

And it wasn’t a rare sight to see you like this to Danny either, but you felt the need to look more put together in front of him. There was a warmth on your body before the comfortable set you were wearing morphed into your costume, the cape flowing behind you as it hung off one shoulder as you walked to the centre of the room, avoiding Iron Fist’s gaze.

Spiderman, even with his poor perception of people, could still sense how stiff his teammate had gotten beside him when he saw you. His first instinct was to ask him what was wrong but when he glanced at Danny, he was surprised to see the distant and cloudy expression on his face.

Danny’s voice seemed far away and he could only stare at you. Take in the sight of you and see how you’ve changed. It had been a while; it had been a long while. The last he saw you was months ago and truthfully; he hadn’t been expecting to see you again.

He missed you.

 “I’m sure you’re well aware by now Nightmare has taken over the dream dimension.”

You wanted to look at Danny again. Take in the view of him once again but something inside you was forcing you to avoid his gaze. It made your body stiff and it wasn’t a change you welcomed. Especially since you used to feel safest when he was around.

So, you kept your eyes trained on Doctor Strange.

You rolled your eyes, “Maybe if you had restrained him properly in the first place, we wouldn’t be having this problem.”

“I’m sorry, who—or what is Nightmare? And who is Miss Magic over here?” Said Spiderman and you tilted your head, doing a silent reading of him.

“I’m (Y/N), I’m a dream walker.”

“Uh-huh, yeah and what exactly is a dream walker?”

“It’s exactly as it sounds, Peter, I can walk through dreams.”

His eyes widened at the sound of his name, “How did you—?”

“The entire planet is asleep. Sorcery is real. I can walk through dreams. And yet you want to know how a person of magic knew who you are underneath the mask?”

“We need you to take us to the Dream Dimension before Nightmare gets more powerful.” Strange began, folding his arms in a way that made you lower you gaze to the floor. You felt like you were doing something wrong even though he was the one asking you for help.

“While I would love to drag along three unsuspecting mortals into the Realm of Dreams, I don’t think you have a stable enough mindscape for me to pull you into it,” You eyed Spiderman who was roaming about and touching half of the artifacts in the room, “Some of you more than others.” 

“Will you take us?” Asked Danny, finding his voice for the first time since he saw you.

You sighed, holding his gaze. Your hand twitched by your side and you had to stop the instinct to untie his mask. It had been a while since you saw his gorgeous green eyes, “It’s dangerous as I’m sure you know, if you go, and something goes wrong—”

“But if we don’t then the world will never wake up.” 

You but your lip in worry, “I could go alone—”

“Nightmare is too powerful.” He replied, shutting you down instantly, “You can’t do this alone.”

“I don’t want to put you in danger.” You replied stiffly, noticing the way Spiderman’s eyes flitted between the two of you. He was calculating, wondering what the two of you knew and he didn’t but the smarter part of his mind seemed to keep himself from opening his mouth.

“I can handle myself,” You sensed he was getting frustrated and some sick part of you felt pride at the fact that only you could get him worked up, only you could see what he really feels, only you could get him to show his true emotions, “Besides, it’s not your position to worry about my safety.”

Ouch. That hurt to hear.

Your jaw tightened just a bit, “Fine then, if you die, don’t come back to haunt me because this isn’t my idiotic choice.”

You saw a wisp of a smile grow on his face but he caught himself quickly and you stepped away from him muttering a spell as a pentagram began to glow beneath your feet.

“As mortals, neither of you have any ability to enter so we will have to enter my mind to be allowed access to the world of dreams. So, before I let you in a word of warning, if you die in the realm of dreams, your soul will forever be lost. With no chance of return.”

“Don’t die. Got it.”

“Also, my mind is very muddled at the moment so don’t judge me if you see anything weird.” You muttered, slightly embarrassed at the thought of either of them seeing the memory of you dancing around in your room in your underwear.

You took a deep breath, closing your eyes and casting a silent spell to open your mind, the four of you began levitating in the pentagram and you felt their souls leave their bodies before entering your mind.

When you opened your eyes, you were in a new world.

“Welcome to the most dangerous place in existence, the human mind.”

 The trek to the portal to the dimension of dreams was a mundane and boring one. It was mostly with you completely on edge and trying to spot anything embarrassing so you could prepare yourself for Spiderman’s quips before he managed to spot it.

There was no way to speed the process up since the rest of them weren’t dream walkers. They couldn’t phase through the place like you could and they also wouldn’t be able to find their way around, so you had to guide them.

So far, you were yet to see anything embarrassing as you walked through your path of memories. Although they did see you dancing around your apartment in footy pyjama’s which Spiderman laughed off good-naturedly.

A small purr reverberated through the world and a familiar memory floated besides you. You wished it would go away but that only made it get more persistent. But you couldn’t help the small smile that grew on your face.

 “What are you doing sleeping out here?” You pouted, crouching in front of Danny who stirred on the couch.

His blond hair was sticking up everywhere and he seemed unusually comfortable sleeping on this tiny couch. He opened one eye to peek at you.

“Do you know how many times I almost fell of the bed? I didn’t want to wake you up, but I also wanted to sleep.” Came his muffled reply.

“But I wanted to cuddle you.” You whined and he sighed, shaking his head, “You’ll kick me again.”

You hummed contemplatively before a lightbulb flickered over your head, “Okay let’s do this then.”

You quickly climbed in between his legs, wrapping your arms around him tightly all while giggling like a child. His body reacted to you almost automatically, burying his face in your neck and hands settling on your back.

“You hold me so tightly that I can’t move.” You whispered into his hair and he nodded holding onto you tightly.

You tightened your hold on him, expecting him to support you as you rolled over into a slightly more comfortable position but instead you tumbled off the couch and pulled him with you.

The two of you immediately burst into laughter and you ran your hands through his messy hair, “That hurt.”

“Are you alright?” He asked, concern flashing briefly on his face even though he knew you were. You giggled, hand coming up to frame his jaw and pull him into a kiss.

“No, I’m not okay.”

The two of you burst into laughter again.

 “Hey quick question.” Spiderman spoke up and you hummed, “If this is your mind then why am I seeing so much of Danny?”

You released a sharp breath through your nose, glancing at all the memories around you. He was right, it was like every second an image of Danny floated by, whether it was him as Iron Fist, or just himself.

You were either training, or spending time together. Many of the memories was those lazy mornings where you would stare at the pretty boy as he slept soundly before complaining that your stare was overwhelming. Although every once in a while, you would stumble across a milestone memory.

 “Are you meditating?” You asked even though you already knew the answer. He had been in the same position for about an hour now and even though the two of you had been meditating together you were quick to grow bored.

He obviously didn’t answer you and you sighed, “How much longer are you gonna do this? I don’t see the point. I sat just as long as you and the only thing that’s happened is that I need a nap and my ass hurts from sitting down for so long.”

Ah, that little smile that appeared on his face. It disappeared as quickly as it came and if you hadn’t been looking for it, you would have missed it.

“How about we go get some ice cream? Or we could go for a walk? Or we could go to that music store that you like and listen to some records?”

He still didn’t move and you huffed, moving closer to him, just by an inch, “I know I’m interrupting your whole zen mode and I’m sorry but I’m bored.”

You moved another inch but were still met with silence.

“Hm, maybe your asleep? Maybe secretly you just think that meditating and sleeping is the same thing?” You mused as you moved closer and this time you could spot the smile that was growing on his face.

You sighed again, “You remember that rude guy we met yesterday?” You didn’t bother waiting for an answer, “I stepped into his dream last night. He dreamt that he was a Tellytubby yesterday.”

The smile got wider and he was trying hard to resist opening his eyes.

“He spoke the whole language and everything. And the sun baby was his mother.”

Your knees were brushing against his and you could hear him taking gentle breaths. You were sure he knew you were sitting right in front of him but you still tried to smother your giggles as you reached closer.

Quickly, you pressed your lips to his, pulling away immediately to see his wide eyes.

“Oh? Sleeping Beauty is finally awake?” You teased as you spotted his ears turn red.

“Did you just? Kiss me?” You nodded unabashedly, giggling as he sputtered, trying to hide the red that splotched his cheeks.

“Why?” “Because I wanted to. Can I do it again?”

He met you halfway this time.

 It was obvious that he made you happy. It was so obvious. And while you enjoyed taking a stroll down the literal memory lane, you were quite embarrassed that everyone else was seeing it. Especially Doctor Strange.

“It’s because I think about him a lot.” You replied quietly keeping your eyes trained on the path. Now that you think about it, it was ridiculous that you were taking so long to get to the Dream Dimension. Even though only a few minutes would have passed in the real world, it felt like you had been walking for hours.

You were slowly becoming more and more uncomfortable as you realized that everyone knew that you were still very much in love with Danny, who could have very possibly moved on from you. You were vulnerable.

Whatever peace and security you felt being in your own mind fled and was replaced with burning embarrassment. So bad that you felt your stomach coil tightly.

“(Y/N),” Danny started but you quickly cut him off, not wanting to hear what he had to say, or rather you were afraid of it being not what you wanted to hear and that others would witness it. 

Seeing your destination approaching, your eyes lit up, your pace quickening as a response, “There it is! The gateway!”

You all hurried towards the arch that was decorated with ancient runes and language, pressing your hands to it and watching the inscription glow as you spoke an incantation, activating it before stepping in as the others followed suite.

Even though you felt a bit more vulnerable being in the Dream Dimension and outside the safety of your mind, your relief was apparent as the 3 of them crossed the arch to join you on the other side. No more memories for them to see.

But the relief was short-lived when you sensed the disturbance. There was so much negativity surrounding you that it was suffocating. You couldn’t believe a single entity could command so much despair and fear. Even the thought of having your magic touched with such negativity drained you, but Nightmare managed to feed off it.

You couldn’t imagine how. 

“Anyone or anything you see here isn’t real. If you see your friends in their nightmares, remember that you cannot help them.” A sudden chill ripped through you, “Nightmare is close.”

“You would be right little dream walker. I caught you and the good doctor sleeping on the job and now the world belongs to Nightmare.”

You rolled your eyes, getting into a fighting stance which prompted the rest to do the same, “You really shouldn’t speak about yourself in the third person. It makes you creepier than you already are. I will ask you once, leave this world and leave the people’s minds.”

“Or what?!”

You whispered a spell and watched as the air around him hardened to shackles before grabbing him with a burning grip, “Or you’ll see what it’s like to fight a dream walker.”

The fight broke out instantly.

 You managed to weaken him enough to have to retreat. At least that’s what you liked to think. When you finally caught your breath after the fight, you looked around to realize that only you and the doctor had been left behind.

It didn’t take long for you to locate both Peter and Danny, you realized with a sinking heart that they had been separated.

Although you wanted to go after Peter as well, to see if he was doing alright, something inside you managed to convince yourself that he could handle himself. You wondered whether that was true or was it because you quite obviously wanted to go after Danny.

You summoned the door to the dream Danny was in, immediately recognizing it as one from his homeland, K’un Lun. The stench of Nightmare was dizzying, you could feel his overwhelming power.

He was trying to get a hold of your nightmare, you could feel it, his magic was prodding at the deepest recesses of your brain, trying to grasp at the fear that you kept hidden for so long.

You were powerful enough to keep him from reaching that part, though it took a lot of your strength. Trying to keep consciousness, you held yourself as the snow fell harder, a cold breeze making your nose redden.

When you found Danny however, everything melted away and you ran to his side as he cowered in front of Shou Lou. Your arms wrapped around his waist to keep him upright.

“It isn’t real Danny, snap out of it.”

It seemed like none of your words were reaching him.

Shou Lou neared the two of you, baring sharp teeth and you tensed. Nightmare was so strong, he was seeping into your mind and before you could stop it, the world changed around you.

Snow stopped falling and the temperature began rising, however you couldn’t tell where you were. Everything dulled around you and faded to a blackness and you looked around, but you couldn’t see anything past your nose.

Before you knew it, your vision started getting clearer. You couldn’t tell if it was because your eyes were adjusting to the darkness or because it was getting brighter in the room.

Either way, you caught the movement of a figure hidden in the shadows and you jumped into a defensive stance. Just as you were about to shoot a spell at it, the figure slumped and hit the floor, the glow from its hand dulling.

Wait...glow from his hand?

“Danny!” You cried, rushing over to the figure on the ground, turning him over and you gasped. His eyes were frozen wide and his face contorted into the expression of absolute terror.

His heart wasn’t beating, he wasn’t breathing.

“Wake up! Wake up!” You screamed, shaking him wildly. He didn’t move. His head lobbed lifelessly as you tried to wake up him.

“Please, please, don’t do this!” You sobbed.

“Don’t leave me!”

“(Y/N)!”

You gasped and the colour returned to the room, the darkness faded and the light was blinding. When you opened your eyes, Danny, alive and well, was holding you with a look of concern on his face.

Realization dawned on you and your muscles relaxed as you slumped against him, wiping away your tears quickly.

“Nightmare’s stronger than I thought.”

“What....was that?” He asked quietly, looking over to the space where he saw his own body as you cried over him. At first, he was too shocked to say anything but when he tried calling out to you, you couldn’t hear him, falling under the influence of Nightmare too quickly.

He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to pull you out of your trance.

He was afraid that you might not come back to him.

“My worst nightmare.”

Your breathing was still laboured and for some reason you couldn’t pull your gaze away from the empty spot where his body was. Nightmare was cruel. It had been too real.

Shakily, you got to your knees before pulling him into a hug. His arms gently wrapped around you and you sighed, trying to sink into his embrace and you gently brushed your fingers through his hair.

“I’ve missed you.” You mumbled into his neck.

“Then why haven’t we been together for the last year?” He asked and you bristled. You had known the question would come eventually and yet it had somehow managed to catch you off guard.

“You saw what would happen if we had continued.” You murmured, vaguely gesturing to where his body or rather where the illusion of his body was.

“That was just a nightmare.”

“I live in dreams, Danny. Had we continued to be together this could have possibly been your future.”

Telling him had been liberating, like a wight had been lifted off your shoulders but at the same time it was sorrowful to admit it. To admit that being with you could bring about his demise, could bring horrible nightmares to life.

And knowing this, he would probably leave you in the dust now.

“Then we’ll just have to find a way because I don’t want to spend another day without you.” He said and you looked up in surprise.

“You aren’t afraid?”

“I’m afraid that when my time comes, I won’t have you by my side.”

It was the sincerity and warmth in his voice that made your heart falter and tears brim in your eyes. All the love for him that you had been keeping away bubbled to the surface and you found your heart being weighed down and simultaneously be set free.

“Really?”

He nodded, cupping your cheek before pressing a soft kiss to your lips. You gently returned it, twisting in his grip to settle comfortably in his lap. Everything felt right in the world, everything balanced out and you felt the world around you dissolve into nothing.

“It’s just a nightmare!” You heard Peter’s voice echo in the background and giggled against Danny’s lips. He chuckled as well, before running his hands through your hair and kissing you again.

“Boy, I hope not.”

[beyoncesdragon]

Oh lord (Loki x Reader)

Pairing: Loki x Queen!Reader 

Warning: fluuffff I suppose. No swear warning this time and that’s a first lol

Summary: Loki had not exactly planned on going back, or better; he had not thought he survive it. Thor being Thor couldn't care less about that, naturally. 

A/N: lets just...PRETEND this is how Vanaheim looks. I did my research dont worry, but...it’s fiction after all. and the old norse is real aHA!

My Masterlist 

The chains around his feet rattled with every step he made and the dragging sound of the iron was painful and annoying to listen to. “I don’t understand why you are dragging me to this very place brother.” Loki asked annoyed, before eyeing the few other people who were accompanying them suspiciously. “And why you felt like bringing them with you.” Thor didn’t even bother to turn around to answer, he only pulled at the chains, making his brother almost stumble forward.

“They have a right to know where you are kept safe, after you attacked their city.” He explained quickly, before pulling his brother towards a tree in the middle of a corn field. “And why, by the gods…” he started again, but Thor silenced him with a glance. Instead Loki sighed and tilted his head to the right, attentively watching the attractive red haired assassin lining up in front of him. Right to her left stood a man in skin tight uniform with his (in Loki’s eyes) ridiculous shield, and next to him Tony Stark. Not to forget the guy with the arrows he couldn’t remember the name of and the Hulk. Even though he wasn’t green and a bully creature in this moment, but more of a slight built scientist. Loki let out another quiet sigh and closed his eyes. They shot open in horror only a few seconds later, when Thor held his hammer high and a sudden beam of yellow and white light beat down from above.

He sucked in a breath when the light disappeared and showed them their new location: an unreal blue river surrounded by incredible high trees. Some of them were so high, that their tips grazed the clouds above. Strange plants wound themselves around their massive trunks, pulsating in many different colours.

“Where are we?” Stark spoke up, seeming to be the first to catch himself again. The beauty of the place was nearly hypnotizing.

“Vanaheim.” Loki whispered, his face pale by now. “Brother…” he started, but Thor just shook his head. Natasha looked around curiously.

“So what are we looking for? Is there a path…” she got cut off by a roaring sound from somewhere above them. Everyone’s eyes snapped up, gasps getting loud. Coiled around the tree near them, an emerald scaled dragon-like beast looked down, golden eyes glomming hostile.

“Don’t move.” Thor spoke quietly. “What the heck is that? A dragon?” Clint whispered, his hands slowly wandering towards his arrows.

“Not exactly. This is a drakon. They are several millennia’s older than dragons and can grow almost twice as big.” Loki whispered, his eyes fixed on the reptiles’ head. “Can it fly?” Natasha asked and Thor shook his head. “As far as I know, it can’t. but who knows maybe she gave’em some wings…” Loki stiffed up. “No. No, she didn’t. Now let’s leave, even I do not particularly feel like triggering a drakon by hanging around his tree.” Everyone agreed, much to his surprise and they slowly backed off. The drakon wouldn’t follow them, it stayed on its gigantic three-mile tree and only hissed warningly.  

“So, where are we even going?” Natasha asked, attentively observing the surroundings. She had two knives drawn, her body tense and always ready for another drakon to drop down on them. As if a knife would help against a seven ton, rock hard scaled, ancient beast. “To the palace.” Thor answered drily and received a rather annoyed look from the avengers and a pained one from a certain frost-giant.

“I really don’t think that this is a benefitting idea for either of us brother.” Loki tried to pursue his brother, but Thor cut him off. “It is the best option for all of us Loki. It’s the safest place where I can bring you, not only just for your safety.” Clint seemed like he wanted to say something, but Natasha gave him a small push with her elbow. “I can’t believe she agreed to do this.” Loki just whispered and Thor chuckled mischievously.

“She hasn’t agreed on anything actually.” He then pulled at Loki’s chains since the prince stopped on his tracks immediately. “You haven’t asked her? She will behead me brother, the second she sees me!” he protested and stumbled forwards, still putting up resistance against Thor’s pulls. “She will not. We both know that and now come on.” Steve carefully cleared his throat. “Not to be impolite but who exactly are we talking about? And what is Vanaheim exactly?” he asked silenty and Thor gave him a motivational smile. “We are talking about a dear friend of Loki, also a dear friend of mine actually. She basically rules here and stuff. Really laid back lass.”

Loki huffed and rolled his eyes. “Friend of mine…” he whispered almost inaudible before carefully avoiding a bluish pulsating ivy creeper hanging from one of the trees. They seemed to follow a small path through the sparsely grown forest, almost unnoticeable for untrained eyes.

“But rules over what?” Bruce asked, his eyes wide. He brushed over a bush with silky soft leaves in a light green and yelped shocked when the rims of the leaves were razor-sharp. “Hvasslaufsblað-Laukr.” he snapped around.

“Excuse me?”

Loki stood behind him, his eyes following the steady trickle of blood that dropped from the long cut the leaves had caused him.

“Hvasslaufsblað-Laukr.” He repeated and pointed at the plant. “It’s called like that. Roughly translated it means Sharp-leafed plant. How ugly.” Bruce blinked confused as Loki passed him without another word.

“Vanaheim is one of the Nine Worlds and exists on the highest level of the World Tree.” Thor explained whilst carefully making his way through the slowly higher getting grass. “The World Tree?” Tony asked and Thor nodded. “Yggdrasil. Its inhabitants are the Vanir, masters of sorcery and magic. They are also widely recognized for their talent to predict the future and so on.” Loki rolled, slightly irritated by the rough description of his brother, his eyes again. His description wouldn’t even come close to the many wonders this world held.

“It’s beautiful.” Natasha sighed and he only snorted but said nothing. Suddenly the sky opened up, the trees stopped. The group had arrived at the top of a small hill where a silver glomming path leaded to a gigantic building. It looked like a mix between a forest, a palace and a beehive. The whole construct seemed to actually breathe and radiate energy.

“Ha! I knew I could still remember the way!” Thor cheered triumphantly  and determinedly started to walk towards the magical place. Loki’s pale face almost turned ashy.  

When the guards in front of the living tree portal recognised Thor, they lowered their weapons. They weren’t surprised about their appearance and that made Loki more than suspicious. Especially because they seemed to even expect him. Him, Loki the god of mischief that had parted with the people of Vanaheim in not a particularly friendly way – at least not with their leader. And with her, he was about to meet again and he was not ready for it.

“Look at who’s finally deciding to visit me again.” The voice was chilly, demanding and with a hint of anger. Thor immediately bowed respectfully and the rest of the avengers followed his example. Loki however stood still, his eyes on the ground.

“Of course minn dróttning.” Thor immediately answered and the woman chuckled softly. “I am not your queen Thor, son of Odin. How have you been and who have you brought with you?” Thor stood up fully and gave the woman sitting in front of them on a simple chair a dashing smile. “I have been very well. Let me quickly introduce my friends from Midgard to you.” He said with a knowing smile as he saw how your eyes flashed up in a bright and vivid green. “Midgard?” he nodded and carefully and slowly started to introduce every single one of the avengers in the old-fashioned way of Vanaheim, listing up all their titles and heroic deeds. The queen’s eyes changed colour all two to three names and titles, depending on the emotion you felt the second you heard them. When Thor finished you leaned back, her eyes now quickly switching between a deep purple and a vibrant red.

“I welcome you.” Was the only thing you remarked after a few seconds, still not paying attention to Loki, who slowly got jittery. “It looks wonderful here. Truly magnificent.” Bruce bubbled out and you tilted your head. “Thank you. It hasn’t always been this way.” Your voice suddenly seemed ice cold, eyes drained from all colour. “Vanaheim was one of the battlefields in the Vanir's raging war against the Aesir. It still is ravaged after the centuries-long war.” Thor shared an alarmed look with his brother who just pressed his lips together. He knew that the queen wasn’t in a particular good mood when it came to asgardians and particularly not when it came to the family of Odin.

“It was the marriage of Freya, one of the leaders of the Vanir, my mother, with Odin, the King of the Aesir, what finally brought peace to Vanaheim and the rest of the realms.” You continued coldly. “After the marriage's fallout, Odin locked the path to Vanaheim through Týr's Temple, allowing nobody to visit the realm. Which is also, why I haven’t seen my mother in over a decade and me and my people hardly ever get visitors.” The temperature in the room had dropped, all the lights lost their golden tone to it.

“Now, what are you here for? And why in the name of all god’s is he here.” you asked coldly, finally looking straight at Loki.

“Your highness…” Loki got down on his knee and the avengers threw each other surprised looks. Loki kneeling was a whole new thing. Your eyes had changed again, still whiteish and only a gleaming white ring was sparkling angrily at him. “You left, almost a decade ago, with the city on fire. It took us three weeks to put it out.” Loki had his eyes still glued on the floor.

“It was an accident milady.” He mumbled half-heartedly. “An accident?” you laughed coldly getting up abruptly. “An accident?!” you repeated again, your voice now noticeably louder. The avengers stepped back softly.

“Then so was that!” you snapped, slipping something from your finger. A golden ring gleamed up in the light, a snake that was about to swallow itself with a huge green jewel on top of its head. Thor sucked in a breath and so did Loki whose face had lost all colour again. He stood up as well, raising his hand.

“Please…” he only pushed out, a sincerity in his voice that surprised everyone in the room. “Don’t do this.” your hand shook lightly, the arm still risen and ready to throw the ring to Valhalla. “Give me a reason! You’re not even wearing yours.” your voice had turned into a whisper at the end, a pained expression flitting over your face. Loki frowned softly and rose his left hand. A green ring of light and energy wandered over his hand, the illusion of a bare hand disappearing. Suddenly, there sat a set of three rings on his ring finger, all of them connected by a octagon cut emerald that resembled the yours in colour perfectly. It seemed like they were both cut from the same emerald and Tony’s head spun at the thought of how big the emerald must have been. “Loki…” Thor whispered but Loki rose his hands. Thor closed his mouth again, staring at his brother in disbelief. Your hand sunk slowly. You sat down carefully, mustering the prince with a piercing glare.

“You haven’t took it off?” Loki shook his head. “Not once my queen.” you sighed softly, waving him closer quickly. Loki walked towards you, approaching the steps to your throne slowly and still a bit shaky. You extended your hand towards him, so he could slip the ring back on your finger.

“Forgive me.” You mumbled softly and Loki mustered a soft smile. “Forgive me, my love. I shouldn’t have left after the fire.” You just nodded, getting up once again. Suddenly you looked tired and drained, very unlike the vivid young woman everyone had first seen. “You have been missed. My people loved you.” you explained silently, having forgotten the rest of your guests that still stared at the two of you in confusion.

“Only your people?” Loki asked with a soft and knowing smirk before very carefully supporting your stand by placing his hand on your lower back. “You…I do not wish to elaborate my prince.” You brushed his comment off before giving him a sincere look. Loki just smirked mischievously bowing his head, gaze falling down to your lips. You had obviously picked up on his gaze, raising one eyebrow questioningly.

“Waiting on something?” your voice was quiet and not more than a whisper, but Loki’s eyes snapped up again. His eyes met yours, yet in a light pinkish colour, like a bushing sky in the morning. He swallowed thickly, eyes falling back to your lips.

“May I…?” his voice deeper than before, his warm breath feeling hot and a bit quicker against your lips. You only tilted your head, eyes switching into a deeper pink. Almost hesitant Loki moved in, lips delicately placing on yours. It was as if a spark run through the whole palace, the lights suddenly seeming to shine golden and warm. Thor couldn’t hold his smile back, so he looked down. As Loki moved back again, his cheeks were full of life and colour again, eyes vividly sparkling.

“I missed you too.” You whispered, a small smile gracing your features, as you linked your fingers with his. Loki took a deep and shaky breath, looking down at your beautiful appearance.

He had been lucky again, too lucky almost. Not that he complained, of course not.

And oh had he missed you too.

[is0gild]

Ice Cream and Fire Oven Pizza - Chapter 13

Pairing: Elsa x Lea/Axel || Side Pairing: Riku x OC

Summary: Modern AU. She's an introvert ball of nerves who works at Ice Palace, a mall food court ice cream shop. He's the outgoing, sassy goofball who works at the Pizza Planet across the way. Hilarity, snark, and fluffy romcom hijinks ensue.

Word Count: 4,108

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

Credit for super friggin’ cute and super friggin’ amazing cover art goes to the super friggin’ talented ky-jane here on tumblr!

"Why are you stuffing the freezers full of Sven plushies?"

My arm stopped mid-motion and I blinked owlishly up at Frozone from where I was kneeled down on the Ice Palace floor in front of said freezers.

...I wasn't, was I?

Looking down at my hand and, more specifically, what was in it, I winced.

Yes. Yes, I was.

Fudge.

Hastily scooping them all off the stacks of ice cream bars and back out onto the tiled ground beneath me, I shot up to my feet, hiding one behind my back with a tiny, awkward laugh . "Oh! That! Yes, uh… I was just… trying to give them a… nice… frosty sheen! To, erm, make them more… authentic? Yeah, you know, since reindeer are from the frozen north, or, ah… somewhere… like that, heh!"

His eyelids drooped. "I… see."

"Oh yeah, chilled plushies are the new 'It' thing." Really? This was the hill I was choosing to die on? Apparently it was. I shoved the little caribou I was still holding into his face now, showing off the icy glaze to its fur coat as I pressed on, "They're all the rage in, er… Norway."

"Norway. Right," Frozone deadpanned as he gingerly took the proffered doll by one of its antlers. Don't think he was quite convinced. Just a wild guess here. "Call me old fashioned but for now, let's just keep all the plushes at room temperature, shall we? And please, run any other... innovations you might have by me first," he flashed me a thousand watt smile, "sound good?"

I returned it with a shaky one of my own, "A-absolutely!" He nodded and as soon as he turned his back on me, my grin faded into a grimace and I buried my face in my hands.

This hadn't been the first of my little "innovations" since starting my shift today.

Other winners included almost dumping used popsicle sticks instead of ice cream into the soft serve/milkshake machine, trying to pile scoops onto straws instead of cones, and giving taste spoons out as change for payment.

Yeah, that particular customer hadn't been exactly thrilled by the last one. Apparently the world just wasn't ready for my groundbreaking and avant-gard new form of currency.

But really, I just wasn't paying attention. I couldn't help it! I was too distracted and completely unable to focus. Hadn't been able to since the study session had ended yesterday. I'd hadn't even gotten a wink of sleep last night, merely tossed and turned while my thoughts had kept running round and round in endless circles.

I just… still couldn't get over it.

Me.

Having a crush.

My brain wouldn't wrap around it. I quite simply did not grok.

For starters, was I forgetting the six year relationship I had just been in? The fiancé I'd left at the altar a few short weeks ago? What was he, chopped liver? How could I just start having… feelings or whatever for someone else so quickly? I mean, okay sure, I hadn't been in love with the guy, but still… wasn't this breaking the rules or something? Committing some sort of romantic faux pas? Spurning basic etiquette in matters of the heart?

Perhaps I should take a step back and look at this all more objectively. Maybe I was just confused and didn't really know what it was I was actually feeling. Just what were these emotions exactly, anyway? I'd definitely never felt them before, and certainly not for my ex. But just because these sentiments were new and I was experiencing them only in the presence of a certain boy, didn't necessarily mean they were, um… affectionate in nature, right?

Yeah, this didn't have to be a crush. I was only jumping to conclusions! Lea was a great guy, absolutely, and I liked him, you know, as a person, but that didn't mean that I, like… like-liked him! I barely even knew him, for crying out loud! Granted, I did know he was kind, sweet, caring, funny, clever, made me feel comfortable around him (that in itself was kind of a miracle), and was a cutie-patootie to boot, but that didn't-

Wait.

Back up.

What was that word I'd just used?

...cutie...patootie?

Bleh, where had that even come from?

That's the thing about crushes, boo. You don't have to really know the person, just think they're a total cutie-patootie!

I shuddered as my roomie's earlier words came back to haunt me.

Thanks, Ghost of Rayne Past, this was exactly what I didn't need right now.

Okay, fine, so maybe it was a crush. I don't know! This was new territory for me! And even it was, so what? It's not like it mattered. Lea wasn't dating at the moment. Girls were a distraction, he was focusing on his school work, yada yada, that whole thing. And say, for the sake of argument, that weren't the case. It's not like I'd ever have the guts to…

...what?

Ask him out?

Pffft, me? Elsa, Queen of the Chickens?

Please!

And even if I went all the way to the magical land of Oz to ask the great wizard himself for some courage so I could so much as even begin to consider acting on these alleged feelings I may or may not have, Lea didn't see me like that. He'd made that abundantly clear. When he'd finally ended his self-imposed exile to the bathroom yesterday, the sheer amount of awkward that had filled the room after that had been enough to suffocate. And even when we did eventually manage to fall into a comfortable study rhythm once more, it didn't slip my notice that he'd always seemed to try and keep the table between the two of us for the rest of the evening.

So really, it was all moot. Lea wasn't interested. Which was okay, because I wasn't interested in him either! ...or maybe I was, but that was beside the point! The point was that this crush, if that's even really what it was, was a non-entity. Nothing that was ever going to be acted on. Nothing worth losing my head over like this, getting all-

"Elsa?" A throat cleared nearby and I glanced over my shoulder to see Frozone, back once more, now complete with a deadpan look. He held up a metal scoop. "...try this maybe?"

I stared blankly from it to him.

...crud, had I done it again?

I looked down at my hands and immediately got my answer.

Indeed I had. I'd zoned out for the umpteenth time and gone on auto-pilot. And my auto-pilot? Sucked. Big time.

Last I'd checked before I'd gone all space cadet, I'd been cleaning up the pile of Svens off the floor and hanging them back up on their hooks. Now that I was tuning back in, it seemed I'd wrapped up that task and had since moved on to assisting a customer. That customer had requested scooped ice cream on a cone - or so the hope would be, given I had a cone in hand (good start) and had opened the glass display to the refrigerated tubs. However, I'd apparently been about to start scooping… with nothing but my bare friggin' fingers.

I looked back at Frozone, plastering on a smile. "Oh, this? This is just, ah… well you know, studies have linked the use of traditional ice cream scoops back to, er… male… pattern baldness!" Ugh, just stop already, mouth, you're not helping! Do you not remember how bad at lying we are?! "Something about the way the, um, the metal... alloy interacts with the sugar is just… just yeah, bad juju or something." What I wouldn't give for a muzzle right now. What even were the words coming out of my mouth anymore? "Nine out of ten experts agree that, ah, scooping with just your hands is the safest, healthiest option, so… there you go! A great lil tip there for you, so yeah… you're welcome!"

"...I think I'll take my chances," he said, tone flat. Then he was pulling me to one side, out of earshot of the patron, "Okay, girl, you clearly got a lot going on up in there at the moment," he tapped me on the forehead a couple times, "so tell you what. I'll finish helping this customer while you gather the rest of the scoops, take them to the back for a rinse and use that minute to clear your head. Alright?"

Straightening up slightly, I gave a quick nod. "Yes sir."

"Atta girl." A quick pat on my shoulder from him, then he was moving off to greet the customer.

Giving myself a small shake, I then quickly set to work collecting the steel utensils. Focus. Focus! This wasn't the time to be twisting myself up in knots over something so inane. There'd be plenty of time for such self-indulgent stupidity once I got back home later tonight. For now, think ice cream. That's it, pure and simple. Ice cream. Live it, breathe it, bleed it. Ice cream. Nothing else existed. Nope, not a thing. Most definitely not-

My gaze chose that second to flick up, glancing towards the other side of the food court. Yup, you guessed it. A certain redhead was currently on shift at a certain pizzeria across the way. Lea was back at it with the pizza dough sorcery, spinning and tossing one on each hand. By chance, our eyes met and to my surprise, gone was any trace of lingering weirdness from yesterday. In fact, his face brightened as he flung one disc up into the air, freeing up that hand to give me an energetic wave.

There was a tiny spasm in my chest and I spun on my heel, turning my back to him.

We've been hit by friendly fire, captain! Status report.

Eyes? Wide and unblinking.

Hands? Strangling metal scoops while simultaneously pressing them against my hammering chest.

Face? Roasting like a honey-glazed ham on Christmas Eve.

...hold up… gah, what the heck was I doing?! Why was I freaking out? Weren't we past all this already, Elsa? Hadn't we left that awkward stage of your friendship with Lea in the dust behind us long ago? So what if you maybe, kind of, sort of had a teensy-weensy crush on him now? This wasn't grade school, you were a damn grown-up! So start acting like one, turn your butt around and wave back at him already!

So I did. I squared my shoulders, put on my best smile, did another about-face and waved back.

...and in my enthusiasm in said wave, I managed to smack myself in the face with the handful of metal scoops I was still holding.

Nailed it.

"I saw that," I heard Frozone's dry voice behind me and I whipped around to discover him all done with the customer and now standing there, arms crossed. "Don't tell me, let me guess. Whatever hang-up is going on with you has to do with that pizza boy." Pause to quirk an eyebrow. "Again."

I gulped, eyes darting to the left. "Heh… pizza what? Boy who?" Crickets. "I'm-going-to-go-wash-these-now-okay-bye!" I blurted out like it was all one word and bolted through the door to the back.

Whew! Dodged that bullet like Neo!

A few minutes later I was walking back out to the storefront, freshly cleaned utensils in hand and hoping Frozone wasn't going to feel like picking up exactly where we'd left off in that conversation. Seemed I was in luck, for all he said was, "I'm gonna go on my lunch break now. Should be slow since the rush just died down." He gave me a pointed look, "I trust you're all good now and can handle things on your own for a bit?"

Relieved, I gave a nod as I started putting the scoops back in their spots. "You can count on me."

"That's what I like to hear," he grinned, holding his fist out for a bump and I only hesitated for a second before lightly tapping my knuckles to his. "Alright, be back soon!"

I watched him go, then finished returning all the utensils before taking up position behind the cash register. Okay, you can do this. Don't let your mind wander. Stay in the here and now. Look around and pick something to concentrate on, keep you grounded. Like that plastic spork underneath that one table out there, dropped and forgotten, yet to be swept up by a roaming janitor. Or… that grey tabby at the Lucky Cat Café, what was his name again... Chirithy? Yeah, that sounded right. Or at Anna over there, bursting through the double doors, running straight for me as if her life depended on it and-

...wait, what?

Anna?

What was she doing here?

And why did she look so frantic and horrified?

When she got close enough, I began, "Anna, why are you-"

"Sis!" she shouted, stumbling to a stop in front of me and slamming both her hands down next to the register. "Shush! Listen!" She looked like she'd just ran a marathon and was out of breath, her every word punctuated with a pant or a wheeze. "Back… Back at- Overheard... Talking... Yelling… Mall ice cream! Mad, so… so friggin' mad! Drove… drove here! Quick as I- Right behind me! Just barely got here before… before-" She suddenly hissed in pain and pulled one knee up to her chest, grabbing her foot in both hands and bouncing up and down on the other. "Frick! Owie, charley horse! Charley horse!"

Figures her super human power to babble would fail her in the hour of her greatest need.

At a loss, I reached out across the counter to rest a hand on her arm, "Anna, slow down. Breathe. I can't understand you, you're missing some nouns there. What are you trying to tell me? Why-"

Using the countertop for support now, she grabbed me by the shirt and yanked me closer, bringing us nose to nose. "He's here! He knows!"

My blood ran cold.

I swallowed hard. "H-he? He w-who?"

Please, please, please don't say-

"The Duke!"

...oh.

Then it wasn't-

Well that's a relief!

Wait… Oh… Oh dear god, no… no, it most definitely was not!

Those food court's doors banged open a second time now and in he marched, proud and regal in all his big-nosed, bad combover, bushy mustachioed glory.

Weselton "The Duke" Fryse.

Aka my great uncle.

He and I weren't exactly on the best of terms, and that was even before I went all AWOL on my wedding day. Me being the eldest and heir to his nephew's fortune, he'd never quite forgiven me for not being born male. But I mean, come on pal, that was over twenty-two years ago - let it go already! The man was the very definition of dotty old coot and insufferable windbag. And for someone who talks so much, he surprisingly says very little. Mostly antiquated opinions and unsolicited advice, every last bit of it wrong and holier-than-thou. For all his ramblings over the decades, we had yet to even hear the story of where his nickname had even come from. Did it have to do with the esteemed university? Had the Queen of England herself actually honored him with the title? Did he have a reputation back in his day of settling matters by "duking" it out? Who knew? And honestly, who really cared?

But none of that mattered at the moment. What mattered was that he was here. That he knew. And if he knew, that meant mother and father knew. And if they knew… he probably knew as well. You know. Him. My ex.

It was official.

This was it.

The Worst Day Ever.

My chest seized. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. All I could do was watch in abject terror as the Duke drew ever nearer, head held high and stern, bespectacled glare burning holes into me. In fact, I think those glasses were even magnifying the sheer, seething rage contained within that scowl of his and turning it into a straight up death ray.

So this was how I was going to die, huh? Funny. I'd always thought clowns would be the ones to do me in. Well… this was the Duke after all, so… close enough.

How had he even found out? Anna never would have told him. How on earth…?

He at last came to a halt before me, hands folding behind his back. He spared a brief, unamused glance out of the corner of his eyes towards Anna, gracing her with a sniff of disdain. She merely glowered back at him. Then his full attention was on me. "Well, well, young lady," he intoned coldly, staring down his nose at me, "just what do you have to say for yourself?"

Okay, Elsa, easy there. You're going to get through this. Put away the shaky knees and sweaty palms. You're calm. You're collected. Just rationally and eloquently explain yourself to him so he sees your side of it and he'll understand and be on his way.

Clenching and unclenching my hands, took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

Calm. Rational. Eloquent.

Here we go.

"I, um… hm… guh… nhg?"

Well done.

"...quite." His mustache twitched dangerously from side to side. "Please then, allow me. You ran out on your wedding. Wasted your father's valuable time and munny. Broke your poor mother's heart. Embarrassed your whole family. Disrespected your betrothed's family. Disappeared with nary a trace, not so much as one word from you for a month, worrying us all sick... All for what? This?" His narrowed gaze gave the Ice Palace in its entirety a once over and, clearly, found it wanting. "...a ramshackle ice cream booth in a mall. A mall of all places!" he roared and I flinched, but said nothing.

I couldn't. Words had abandoned me. Panic had paralyzed me. All I could do was shrink more and more in on myself, wishing for the ground to swallow me up as his lecture turned into a full on tirade now.

"Working like some lowly, middle-class plebeian! Living heaven only knows where! Fraternizing with commoners! Have you no shame, child?! You little ingrate, you… you little monster! I always knew you'd be the downfall of this family! Of all the selfish, witless, deplorable, irresponsible, contemptible, impudent-"

"Cram it, Weaseltown!" Anna spat out, putting herself between me and him.

Oh great. Now here my baby sister came to fight my battles for me while I cowered behind her. My humiliation was complete.

He took a step back, nostrils flaring and mustache flapping violently as he huffed and puffed. "It's Weselton! The Duke to you, you spoiled brat! I always said your father should've used a firmer hand with you! You've grown wild! You're a disgrace! The both of you are! Why, if your father were here right this second, he'd-"

"Yeah, well he's not!" Anna got in his face now, staring him down as she stabbed a finger into his chest, "You are! Why is that, I wonder? Where is Daddy Dearest anyway?"

Talk! Say something, damn it! Please, just stop standing here doing nothing like a total idiot!

"Such impudence!" he slapped her hand away. "He's back at home, tending to your grief-stricken mother who is inconsolable, simply inconsolable upon learning the truth! Neither of them could bring themselves to come down here and bear the wretched sight of their eldest! So I took it upon myself after breaking the dreadful news to-"

She stamped her foot and snarled, "So it was you! Oh I bet you just couldn't wait to go and tattle to our parents as soon as you knew! Bet you were just positively giddy. How'd you do it? How'd you find out, you big weasel?!"

Their shouting match was causing a scene. People were beginning to stare. Including… I reluctantly dragged my gaze over towards the Pizza Planet… yup. There Lea was with a frown and one eyebrow cocked as he set the dough aside to watch this bit of drama unfold.

For the love of all that is good and mortifying, just end me. End me now. Please.

The Duke stiffened, face blotchy with barely restrained fury. "Hold your vile tongue, you snot-nosed whelp! I'll have you know the information was as good as mine the minute you told us she'd texted you. I knew if I hired a man to follow you, you'd lead us straight to her."

Anna gaped, "You had someone friggin' spying on me?!"

"And rightly so!" he harrumphed, puffing out his chest. "The scandals he reported back to me, why, I nearly died from disgrace! Carousing in a seedy, two-bit pub! Mingling with the filthy yokels! Prancing about on some stage, making an utter mockery out of yourself! Not to mention naught but days later, rendezvousing in secret at some mongrel's hovel and holing up in there with him for hours, you, you, you trollop!"

My stomach fell further and further, my face paler and paler with every word. Dear lord, he knew about all of that?! And what was he even talking about, holing up with- wait, was he talking when I'd helped Lea study? There'd been someone there, some sort of, what… private investigator or something, watching me the whole time? Might still be watching me, even now?

Oh crud, now Lea was over his counter and heading this way. Turn back, you kind, brave, naive fool! You know not the powers you seek to tangle with! Back! Back, I say! Back to the craft of pizza and outer space from whence thou came!

"So the frick what?!" my sister gave a scoff. "Elsa can do whatever with whoever she wants! As far as I'm concerned, what she does with her life is none of your business, you old fart!"

"I make it my business when her actions ruin this family's good name! Now enough of this charade, this, this absolute farce!" The Duke looked past Anna to point at me, "You have a duty to perform, young lady! A responsibility to uphold! You will come home this instant and marry-"

Shoving his arm away, Anna snapped, "She will not! Don't you understand? She doesn't love him, she wasn't happy!"

This was getting out of hand. Somehow, someway, whatever spell that kept me frozen abruptly broke. My feet were suddenly on the move and I was running out from behind the counter. I had to do something. Get between them, break this up, I don't know… just something.

The Duke sneered, "As if love and happiness matter in a marriage, bah!"

"They do when it's… it's…" she frowned in thought for a split second, then her face broke out into a triumphant grin. "When it's true love!"

A huff of a derisive laugh. "True love? Now you're just spouting off nonsense, pure hogwash!"

"Nu uh! In fact," there was now a sly gleam to her eye, "Elsa's already met her true love."

"She's what?!"

I've what?

At her words, I staggered and tripped, nearly colliding into my sister. Anna grabbed my shoulders, keeping me upright. Then she gave me a wink, grin twitching wider before looking back at our great uncle, "What'd you think? That that 'secret rendezvous' as you put it was... what? Just a fling? A one night stand? A booty call? Ha! Well jokes on you, Weaseltown, cuz that was her boyfriend!"

"Her what?!"

My what?

"That's right!" she cackled now as the Duke spluttered and wheeze, his hand going to his chest. "They're in love! Have been for a while now! She… oh! She ran away from her wedding to just be with him! Yeah!"

Anna, what are you doing? Anna, please stop!

"Hey, what seems to be the problem here?" Lea stepped up to join us just then.

Turn back! Back, I say!

"Well if it isn't the man of the hour!" Anna beamed at him, to which he just merely blinked and tipped his head to one side. "Weaseltown, allow me to introduce you to," she shoved me at Lea who caught me as I crashed into his chest, both eyebrows shooting up his forehead in confusion, "Elsa's one and only… her beau, her lover, her boyfriend and one true love! They make just the cutest couple, don'tcha think?"

"Wha- huh?!" Lea's grip on me tightened, his eyes widened and his face flushed bright red.

As for the Duke? Well, I suppose he handled it about as well as could be expected.

He fainted.

Author's Note: Anna, hon, no… Anna why? The way that girl's mind works sometimes, I swear… Lol! You might be able to guess where this is going, dear readers xD But if not, don't worry, it's gonna be spelled out for you reeeeeal soon xP Also, yay, a cameo from The Duke in all his huffy, stuffy, blustering glory! Just what we needed to mix things up, and boy, did things EVER get mixed up!

Next chapter, how will Elsa react to her sister's lil "announcement"? Not to mention, how will LEA react? Will Elsa ever be able to sort through her tangled feelings about this thing that may or may not be a crush? Is Elsa ACTUALLY onto something there with the frozen plushies idea? Is the Duke just straight up DEAD?! …probably not, but it was a fun question to ask xD Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, I super duper appreciate it! And an extra BIG thank you to those of you who’ve liked, reblogged, and followed so far, seeing those lil notifications always brings the biggest, goofiest smile to my face!

FIRST CHAPTER || PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

[hemogobbler]

Madame Razz’s Tea Party for Real Sad Lesbians

Thanks to @spop-prompts for this EXCELLENT idea: 

Madame Razz can be a bit kooky, but Adora finds that she enjoys the older woman’s presence and kindness, so she starts hanging out with her when she has the time. One day, Razz begins to talk about Mara, the woman whom Razz loved more than anyone else. As Adora listens to Razz tell her story, she can’t help but think of her own relationship with the person she loves...

Read it here or on Ao3!

Adora found that the best way to make Razz lucid again was to mention Mara. Razz’s eyes would grow bold, her posture would shift, and an easy smile would lift her cheeks.

She was one of the kindest people Adora knew. The butterflies that always danced around her like tiny white petals must have sensed this, and chose to stay in her radiant warmth. She was also one of the smartest, but given Adora’s selection of friends, that wasn’t saying a lot.

Adora felt wrong in probing the elderly woman’s weak spots for information, but she told herself that the fate of the world may depend on what she could learn about harnessing She-Ra’s power. Truthfully, Adora just couldn’t take another story about invisible talking animal companions that probably didn’t exist. She was much more interested in the idea of them.

“What was Mara like?” Adora made sure to speak a little louder and enunciate the name. “Outside of She-Ra, just… her?”

Razz leaned forward, and the chair she sat in, the floorboards of her house, and possibly also her bones, creaked. For how tired her body was, she spoke with all the energy of youth: she was eager and happy to have a listening ear, yet serene in her wisdom and only slightly touched with sadness.

“To be honest, my dear, I’m not so sure anymore. When my Mara was herself, it usually meant we weren’t doing so well. The war was constant in those days. The moments where I could simply be with her were rare… but we always made the most of them,” She gave a sly smile that went over Adora's head.

Adora nodded, understanding too well how a relationship comes crashing upon the rocks of war. She took a sip of the fragrant tea Razz made and felt her mind relax.

“My Mara was so tender. The safest place in Etheria was in her arms. Her friends were everything to her, and she made sure you knew it. I felt like she was beyond my reach - ‘out of my league,’ as the kids say? I asked her what she liked about me, and she said my eyes.”

Razz tapped her glasses with a finger, and Adora saw there were tears running under them.

“I was insecure like a silly young witch is, and she knew it. I don’t know how. Maybe I gave it away; I hated relying on these glasses when I had so much magical power at my fingertips! Stupid, I know. She took my glasses off; I closed my eyes; she kissed them, and put them back on. Now I can’t stand to be without them.”

Razz wiped her face with a hand, and with a finger traced one of her closed eyes. Adora stood up and went over to hand her a tissue. She knelt down in front of Razz and gently touched her leg. When Razz reopened her eyes, she was struck by the sight of Adora.

“And she was beautiful, just like you, Adora,” Razz took the tissue and dabbed her eyes. With her other hand, she held Adora’s in a remarkably tight grip. “You really do look like her, you know?

Adora nodded, the slightest pink emerging on her cheeks, “You’ve said.”

“Though my Mara didn’t quite have arms like that!” Razz patted Adora’s muscles and inspected them with glee. “If she had, I would have made a move a lot sooner! The princesses must be clinging on for dear life, and falling over their dresses to get to you!”  

They laughed, but Adora felt a wave of guilt strike her. She went back to her seat and took a generous amount of tea. She started to speak softly, but quickly realized she would have to increase the volume as Razz was not hearing any of it.

“Honestly, She-Ra does most of the work - she’s a real hit with the ladies. Everyone but the one I want, anyway.”

Razz’s eyes lit up at the words, a matchmaker hobbyist emerging in her old age.

“She hates She-Ra, she’s… I’m... just a symbol of betrayal to her. I’m a traitor in more ways than one. I should be breaking down the Horde’s walls to get her back!”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Razz looked pained. “Are they holding her prisoner?”

“What? No, she’s a Horde Force Captain.”

“Oh! My, how saucy!” Razz clasped her hands together in excitement. “That is quite a pickle, my dear!”

“Yeah… anytime I try to get closer to her she just pushes me away. Also, she tried to kill me.”

Razz’s eyes widened for a split second, but her grin was getting bigger.

“Ah, to be young again. Sounds like a passionate one.”

“Definitely. The Horde messed us up pretty bad, but she got the worst of it. I was supposed to be there for her, but She-Ra pulled me in one direction and the Horde pulled her in the other. Sometimes I think about what would’ve happened if I had stayed.”

“But you do not regret leaving?” Razz asked.

“No. I don’t. It feels awful: I want to regret it, but I don’t. A lot more people rely on me now, not just her. It’s like I’m sacrificing her for the world, but will the world be worth it without her?”

Razz shook her head, “It won’t. So save her as well. Good reason to fight, yes? Does she want the same as you?”

The rosiness returned to Adora’s cheeks, and she started running a hand through her hair.

“I - I don’t know. I think so? I hope so. Probably not... anymore. She’s a career girl now.”

“Well, this is the first step, my dear. You must find that out. Shared feelings engender mutual trust. Kids today rely too much on letters, pictures attached to arrows, truth-harvesting sorcery. Talk to her, Adora,” Razz took a long sip of tea, evidently proud of her work already.

“What if she doesn’t listen? If she doesn’t feel the same? What if I have to fight her?”

Adora was frustrated. Nobody understood the dynamics of her relationship with Catra, least of all herself. She thought herself a fool for expecting an easy answer from Madame Razz.

“Why would you fight her, Horde or no, if you belong together?”

“Pretty sure I mentioned that she tried to kill me?” Adora shivered, remembering the look on Catra’s face.

“Did she? Why? I know her not, but in a dependent relationship such as what you have described, why would she sever her one attachment to happiness?”

Various thoughts went through Adora’s head. Abandonment issues, an inferiority complex, a bluff, because ‘dependency was a weakness,’ and Adora’s personal favorite: just plain being a dumbass.

“...A momentary lapse of reason?” Adora concluded.

“Ah, yes, I have many of those! But the sun goes down and comes back up, and Loo-Kee tells me it is Thursday, and so we continue as normal!”

Adora’s mouth opened and closed, unable to find a suitable response. There was a point there, Adora supposed. She had fallen victim to Catra’s mindset, so alluring in our darkest days, that all is hopeless. But they were both alive, and Adora knew what day it was.

“Do you…” Adora began, hesitant to continue, “...Resent Mara for leaving you?”

Adora immediately regretted uttering the words. It felt as though she was forcing her baggage before Razz and twisting an old knife in an older wound.

“Not at all,” Razz was smiling. “My Mara did what she had to, and everything she could, for everyone, including myself. I am forever grateful to her. And besides, she is always with me.”

Madame Razz tapped her glasses again.

From that moment Adora felt a resolve bathe her heart in warmth. She’d fight for Razz and Mara, too. Peace would be their long-overdue legacy. Adora drew Razz into a deep, lingering hug, and heard her whisper Mara’s name. When they withdrew, Adora left a kiss on her cheek.

Adora threw a thumb over her shoulder, indicating to her back.

“Catra didn’t leave me with any nice souvenirs like that. Just scars all the way down.”

“My dear!” Razz exclaimed, nearly spitting out her drink. “The youth today are so racy! That is a story I’m going to need more tea for!”

Adora was glowing red and rushed out of the room to put the kettle on.

[storyswept]

Jon Snow and Dragons (Part I: Of the Existence of Dragons and Their Dangers)

Introductory Note

This analysis is based on book quotes mentioning dragons, taken mostly from Jon's chapters. Other POV chapters were only quoted if they were conversing with Jon and dragons came up, or if relevant to the current discussion. I bolded the parts I found interesting.

Warning: spoilers for all published books, mention of a very popular theory on Jon's parentage. Plus, I have watched the show, so I'm sure it must be coloring my opinions.

Part I: Of the Existence of Dragons and Their Dangers

Of the Existence of Dragons

[Jon] had the Stark face if not the name: long, solemn, guarded, a face that gave nothing away. Whoever his mother had been, she had left little of herself in her son. "What are you reading about?" he asked.

"Dragons," Tyrion told him.

"What good is that? There are no more dragons," the boy said with the easy certainty of youth.

"So they say," Tyrion replied. "Sad, isn't it? When I was your age, I used to dream of having a dragon of my own." (AGOT, Tyrion II)

At the start of the series, Jon Snow tells us: "there are no more dragons", just moments after Tyrion was reflecting on his parentage. How ironic. Since Jon has no reason to question his beliefs, the next volumes find him issuing similar opinions on the subject:

"I have never seen a dragon."

"No one has. The last dragons died a hundred years ago or more. But this was before that." (Ygritte & Jon, ASOS, Jon V)

We should have twenty trebuchets, not two, and they should be mounted on sledges and turntables so we could move them. It was a futile thought. He might as well wish for another thousand men, and maybe a dragon or three. (ASOS, Jon VIII)

And finally:

"Pyp should learn to hold his tongue. I have heard the same from others. King's blood, to wake a dragon. Where Melisandre thinks to find a sleeping dragon, no one is quite sure. It's nonsense. Mance's blood is no more royal than mine own. He has never worn a crown nor sat a throne. He's a brigand, nothing more. There's no power in brigand's blood." (Jon, AFFC, Samwell I)

"He is not dead. Stannis is the Lord's chosen, destined to lead the fight against the dark. I have seen it in the flames, read of it in ancient prophecy. When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone. Dragonstone is the place of smoke and salt."

Jon had heard all this before. "Stannis Baratheon was the Lord of Dragonstone, but he was not born there. He was born at Storm's End, like his brothers." (ADWD, Jon X)

I'm sure Jon isn't the only person to find this notion nonsensical. Far from it in fact. But we readers know all about the return of the dragons in the East, which did involve blood magic. Also, if R+L=J is true, then Jon has indeed royal blood… another way to point out that Jon Snow knows nothing (compared to us) and that dragons can indeed be woken.

In "A Dance with Dragons",  Jon hears from Tycho Nestoris of "troubling reports":

The narrow sea is perilous this time of year, and of late there have been troubling reports of strange ships seen amongst the Stepstones."

"Salladhor Saan?"

"The Lysene pirate? Some say he has returned to his old haunts, this is so. And Lord Redwyne's war fleet creeps through the Broken Arm as well. On its way home, no doubt. But these men and their ships are well-known to us. No, these other sails … from farther east, perhaps … one hears queer talk of dragons."

"Would that we had one here. A dragon might warm things up a bit."

"My lord jests. You will forgive me if I do not laugh. We Braavosi are descended from those who fled Valyria and the wroth of its dragonlords. We do not jape of dragons."

No, I suppose not. "My apologies, Lord Tycho." (ADWD, Jon IX)

He doesn't take the assertion very seriously, as you can tell. And who can blame him? (well, aside from people who don’t think dragon jokes are funny). It's rumors… for now.

However, considering Aegon and the Golden Company's arrival in Westeros and Sam finding out the truth in Braavos, I think we can safely say Jon's beliefs on dragons will find themselves challenged in the future, if he survives his stabbing that is.

It's not unlikely Jon will want the dragons on their side in the fight against the Others. Why?

Remember his throwaway comments in the quotes above :

"He might as well wish for another thousand men, and maybe a dragon or three" (ASOS, Jon VIII)

"Would that we had one here. A dragon might warm things up a bit." (ADWD, Jon IX)

Add to this Maester Aemon's belief, that Daenerys was their hope (because of dragons):

"No one ever looked for a girl," he said. "It was a prince that was promised, not a princess. Rhaegar, I thought . . . the smoke was from the fire that devoured Summerhall on the day of his birth, the salt from the tears shed for those who died. He shared my belief when he was young, but later he became persuaded that it was his own son who fulfilled the prophecy, for a comet had been seen above King's Landing on the night Aegon was conceived, and Rhaegar was certain the bleeding star had to be a comet. What fools we were, who thought ourselves so wise! The error crept in from the translation. Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame. The language misled us all for a thousand years. Daenerys is the one, born amidst salt and smoke. The dragons prove it." Just talking of her seemed to make him stronger. "I must go to her. I must. Would that I was even ten years younger."

 (...)

"No," the old man said. "It must be you. Tell them. The prophecy . . . my brother's dream . . . Lady Melisandre has misread the signs. Stannis . . . Stannis has some of the dragon blood in him, yes. His brothers did as well. Rhaelle, Egg's little girl, she was how they came by it . . . their father's mother . . . she used to call me Uncle Maester when she was a little girl. I remembered that, so I allowed myself to hope . . . perhaps I wanted to . . . we all deceive ourselves, when we want to believe. Melisandre most of all, I think. The sword is wrong, she has to know that . . . light without heat . . . an empty glamor . . . the sword is wrong, and the false light can only lead us deeper into darkness, Sam. Daenerys is our hope. Tell them that, at the Citadel. Make them listen. They must send her a maester. Daenerys must be counseled, taught, protected. For all these years I've lingered, waiting, watching, and now that the day has dawned I am too old. I am dying, Sam." Tears ran from his blind white eyes at that admission. (AFFC, Samwell IV)

Unless Sam never gets around to telling him, I don't think Jon would dismiss one of his mentors' opinion so easily.

But is relying on dragons really the safest way to defeat the Others? As Aemon just told us, "we all deceive ourselves, when we want to believe".

Of Dragons and Their Dangers

In fact, Jon is exposed to plenty of evidence that speaks of the dragons being dangerous.

Exhibit A: the rest of Jon and Tyrion's conversation about dragons.

"(…) When I was your age, I used to dream of having a dragon of my own."

"You did?" the boy said suspiciously. Perhaps he thought Tyrion was making fun of him.

"Oh, yes. Even a stunted, twisted, ugly little boy can look down over the world when he's seated on a dragon's back." Tyrion pushed the bearskin aside and climbed to his feet. "I used to start fires in the bowels of Casterly Rock and stare at the flames for hours, pretending they were dragonfire. Sometimes I'd imagine my father burning. At other times, my sister."

Jon Snow was staring at him, a look equal parts horror and fascination. Tyrion guffawed. "Don't look at me that way, bastard. I know your secret. You've dreamt the same kind of dreams."

"No," Jon Snow said, horrified. "I wouldn't …" (AGOT, Tyrion II)

Jon is understandably horrified at what Tyrion is insinuating.

What we can conclude: Dragons can be used to burn people (not a mind-blowing conclusion, I realise). Even your family if that your thing…

Exhibit B:

"Ashes and cinders."

"Kings and dragons."

Dragons again. For a moment Jon could almost see them too, coiling in the night, their dark wings outlined against a sea of flame.

"If she knew, she would have taken the boy away from us. Dalla's boy, not your monster. A word in the king's ear would have been the end of it." And of me. Stannis would have taken it for treason. "Why let it happen if she knew?"

"Because it suited her. Fire is a fickle thing. No one knows which way a flame will go." Val put a foot into a stirrup, swung her leg over her horse's back, and looked down from the saddle. "Do you remember what my sister told you?" (ADWD, Jon VIII)

What Dalla told him:

Jon faced him. "If you've had the Horn of Joramun all along, why haven't you used it? Why bother building turtles and sending Thenns to kill us in our beds? If this horn is all the songs say, why not just sound it and be done?"

It was Dalla who answered him, Dalla great with child, lying on her pile of furs beside the brazier. "We free folk know things you kneelers have forgotten. Sometimes the short road is not the safest, Jon Snow. The Horned Lord once said that sorcery is a sword without a hilt. There is no safe way to grasp it." (ASOS, Jon X)

Melisandre gives a counter-argument to this:

He turned back to the red priestess. Jon could feel her warmth. She has power. The thought came unbidden, seizing him with iron teeth, but this was not a woman he cared to be indebted to, not even for his little sister. "Dalla told me something once. Val's sister, Mance Rayder's wife. She said that sorcery was a sword without a hilt. There is no safe way to grasp it."

"A wise woman." Melisandre rose, her red robes stirring in the wind. "A sword without a hilt is still a sword, though, and a sword is a fine thing to have when foes are all about. (ADWD, Jon VI)

What we can conclude:

Dragons are associated with kings, ashes and cinders.

Fire is a fickle thing, and so is sorcery. Dragons are no different. As Maester Aemon said: "Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame." (AFFC, Samwell IV)

Sometimes the short road is not the safest: Dragons might destroy a lot of the dead, but also a lot of the living as well.

A treacherous weapon is better than no weapon if you have foes. There's risk of personal injury however.

Exhibit C:

"My lord jests. You will forgive me if I do not laugh. We Braavosi are descended from those who fled Valyria and the wroth of its dragonlords. We do not jape of dragons."

No, I suppose not. "My apologies, Lord Tycho." (ADWD, Jon IX)

What we can conclude: Angering dragons or dragonlords has consequences.

Exhibit D:

Burning dead children had ceased to trouble Jon Snow; live ones were another matter. Two kings to wake the dragon. The father first and then the son, so both die kings. The words had been murmured by one of the queen's men as Maester Aemon had cleaned his wounds. Jon had tried to dismiss them as his fever talking. Aemon had demurred. "There is power in a king's blood," the old maester had warned, "and better men than Stannis have done worse things than this." The king can be harsh and unforgiving, aye, but a babe still on the breast? Only a monster would give a living child to the flames. (ADWD, Jon I)

"Refuse, and the boy will burn. Not on the morrow, nor the day after … but soon, whenever Melisandre needs to wake a dragon or raise a wind or work some other spell requiring king's blood. Mance will be ash and bone by then, so she will claim his son for the fire, and Stannis will not deny her. If you do not take the boy away, she will burn him." (ADWD, Jon II)

"Pyp should learn to hold his tongue. I have heard the same from others. King's blood, to wake a dragon." (AFFC, Samwell I)

"I looked at that book Maester Aemon left me. The Jade Compendium. The pages that told of Azor Ahai. Lightbringer was his sword. Tempered with his wife's blood if Votar can be believed. Thereafter Lightbringer was never cold to the touch, but warm as Nissa Nissa had been warm. In battle the blade burned fiery hot. Once Azor Ahai fought a monster. When he thrust the sword through the belly of the beast, its blood began to boil. Smoke and steam poured from its mouth, its eyes melted and dribbled down its cheeks, and its body burst into flame."

What we can conclude:

Lightbringer seems to have an effect similar to dragons.

The price for dragons is high.

Conclusion

Currently, Jon Snow believes dragons to be extinct. If he survives and finds out about their return, textual evidence suggests he might be interested in them as a potential weapon against the Others. However, Jon's chapters seem to contain warnings about their use. Which asks the question: will he heed them?

Link to Part II: Of Dragons and Gold

[29989]

If you cannot accept that all compounded or fabricated things are impermanent, if you believe that there is some essential substance or concept that is permanent, then you are not a Buddhist. If you cannot accept that all emotions are pain, if you believe that actually some emotions are purely pleasurable, then you are not a Buddhist. If you cannot accept that all phenomena are illusory and empty, if you believe that certain things do exist inherently, then you are not a Buddhist. And if you think that enlightenment exists within the spheres of time, space, and power, then you are not a Buddhist.

Upon first hearing the story of the dawn of Siddhartha’s realization, we might think that he was remarkablyunsophisticated. It seems strange to hear of a prince, raised to lead an entire kingdom, asking such simplisticquestions. But we are the ones who are naive. In this information age we are surrounded by images of decay and death—beheadings, bullfights, bloody murder. Far from reminding us of our own fate, these images are used for entertainment and profit. Death has become a consumer product. Most of us do not contemplate the nature of death on a deep level. We don’t acknowledge that our bodies and environment are made up of unstable elements

that can fall apart with even the slightest provocation. Of course we know that one day we will die. But most ofus, unless we have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, think that we are in the clear for the time being. Onthe rare occasion that we think about death, we wonder, How much will I inherit? or Where will they scatter myashes? In that sense we are unsophisticated.

Thus Siddhartha discovered that impermanence does not mean death, as we usually think, it means change.

The mind’s craving for confirmation is rooted in our fear of impermanence.

Fearlessness is generated when you can appreciate uncertainty, when you have faith in the impossibility of theseinterconnected components remaining static and permanent. You will find yourself, in a very true sense,preparing for the worst while allowing for the best. You become dignified and majestic. These qualities enhanceyour ability to work, wage war, make peace, create a family, and enjoy love and personal relationships. Byknowing that something is lying in wait for you just around the bend, by accepting that countless potentialitiesexist from this moment forward, you acquire the skill of pervasive awareness and foresight like that of a giftedgeneral, not paranoid but prepared.

One way or another, directly or indirectly, all emotions are born from selfishness in the sense that they involveclinging to the self. Moreover, he discovered that, as real as they may seem, emotions are not an inherent part ofone’s being. They are not inborn, nor are they some sort of curse or implant that someone or some god has thrustupon us.

All of these various emotions and their consequences come from misunderstanding, and this misunderstandingcomes from one source, which is the root of all ignorance—clinging to the self.

He understood that everything we see, hear, feel, imagine, and know to exist is simply emptiness onto which wehave imputed or labeled a certain “trueness.”

When presented with the concept of a man fitting inside of a yak’s horn without a change in size, we have a fewchoices: We can be “rational” and refute the story by saying that it is simply not possible. Or we can apply somekind of mystic belief in sorcery or blind devotion and say, Oh yes, Milarepa was such a great yogi, of course hecould do this and even more. Either way our view is distorted, because denying is a form of underestimating,and blind faith is a form of overestimating.

Having the courageous spirit to wake up and examine is what Buddhists call “renunciation.” Contrary to popularbelief, Buddhist renunciation is not self-flagellation or austerity. Siddhartha was willing and able to see that allof our existence is merely labels placed on phenomena that do not truly exist, and through that he experiencedawakening.

Although Siddhartha realized emptiness, emptiness was not manufactured by Siddhartha or anyone else.Emptiness is not the result of his revelation, nor was it developed as a theory to help people be happy. Whetheror not Siddhartha taught it, emptiness has always been emptiness, although paradoxically we can’t even reallysay that emptiness has always been, because it is beyond time and has no form. Nor should emptiness beinterpreted as negation of existence—that is, we can’t say that this relative world doesn’t exist either—becausein order to negate something, you have to acknowledge that there is something to negate in the first place.Emptiness doesn’t cancel out our daily experience.

Viewing our experience in this world as a dream, Siddhartha found that our habit of fixating on the mere appearance of our dreamlike relative world, thinking that it is truly existing, throws us into an endless cycle of

pain and anxiety.

What we really need is to wake up from our habitual patterns, imagination, and greed. Mind training andmeditation are the swiftest, safest, and most effective ways to work within the mindstream. As Siddhartha said,“You are your own master.”

“It is not the appearance that binds you, it’s the attachment to the appearance that binds you.”

“Those who see Buddha as a form and those who hear Buddha as a sound have the wrong view.”

Even though happiness is considered a mere concept, Buddhist texts still use terms like great bliss to describeenlightenment. Nirvana can indeed be understood as a joyful state, because having no confusion and noignorance, no happiness and no unhappiness, is bliss. Seeing the source of confusion and ignorance, the snakefor example, as never having existed, is even better. You feel great relief when you awaken from a nightmare,but bliss would be to never have dreamed in the first place. In this sense, bliss is not the same as happiness.Siddhartha emphasized to his followers the futility of seeking peace and happiness, in this world or in theafterlife, if they were serious about freeing themselves from samsara.

the four noble truths: know the suffering; abandon the causes of suffering; apply the path to the cessation ofsuffering; know that suffering can end.

His realization that all compounded things are impermanent was his ultimate triumph. Instead of flauntingvictory over some externally existing enemy, he found that the real enemy is our clinging to the self; anddefeating that self-clinging is a miracle far greater than all supernatural miracles, real or imagined.

the Lord Buddha has not stated that after abandoning samsara there exists nirvana. 

The nonexistence of samsara is nirvana.

What Makes You Not a Buddhist - Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse